Cosmetic Applicator with Paddle-Shaped Applicator Tip

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator with a paddle-shaped applicator tip for retaining and applying a volume of cosmetic material. The applicator tip has a paddle-shaped head portion with first and second opposed, egg-shaped oval faces separated by a thickness of the head portion. The head portion of the applicator tip is retained by a neck portion that is retained by a base rod. An applicator wand, which can have a cap fixed thereto, retains the base rod and the applicator tip in general. The head and neck portions of the applicator tip can be enveloped in applicator material, such as bristles or fibers applied by flocking, for retaining and applying cosmetic material. A cosmetic bottle with a flexible wiper can selectively receive the applicator tip for wiping excess cosmetic material from the applicator tip.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cosmetic applicators. More particularly, disclosed and protected herein is a cosmetic applicator with a paddle-shaped applicator tip to permit the retention and application of makeup product in an efficient and advantageous manner and, in certain embodiments, a cosmetic bottle with a conforming cosmetic wiper to remove excess cosmetic material with improved consistency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetic applicators for lip gloss and other liquid or pasty cosmetics are commonly founded on two pieces, a cosmetic bottle and a cap that retains a rod or wand for being dipped into a volume of cosmetic retained within the container. Cosmetic applicators have an applicator tip fixed to the distal end of the wand for dipping into the volume of cosmetic. The applicator tip can, for example, comprise a flocked member, a brush, or any other structure capable of retrieving cosmetic from the open inner volume of the bottle and applying the cosmetic to a body surface of a user, such as the user's lips, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

When the applicator tip is dipped in the cosmetic, it becomes loaded with the liquid or pasty cosmetic. The wand and applicator tip are then withdrawn from the container, typically passing through a wiper for removing excess cosmetic from the applicator tip. With this, the user is able to undertake a controlled application of the cosmetic. The cosmetic dispenser can be sealed during periods of nonuse by a threaded engagement between the cap and a neck of the bottle.

During application of the cosmetic, a user will typically hold the cap with one hand and the bottle in the other. With repeated dipping into the volume of cosmetic material, the applicator tip or other structure can be employed in the successful application of the cosmetic. Lip gloss is commonly applied in such a manner as are other liquid, semi-liquid, pasty and other cosmetics, including, by way of example and not limitation, mascara, concealer, and eye shadow.

A fundamental goal of most cosmetic applicators is to retain an increased volume of cosmetic material to minimize the number of times one must dip the wand into the volume of cosmetic to achieve a given application of makeup. Applicator tips typical of the prior art, particularly those with simple round cross sections, provide limited surface area for the retention of cosmetic material. With limited surface area, many prior art applicators consequently require repeated insertions of the cosmetic applicator tip into the container.

To obtain greater surface area for the retention of increased volumes of cosmetic material, deviations from a round applicator tips are possible. However, the applicator tip normally must pass through an orifice of a wiper on exiting the cosmetic bottle so that excess cosmetic material can be wiped from the applicator tip. Wipers typically have round orifices. Accordingly, where the applicator tip is other than round, the wiper will tend to remove too much cosmetic along certain areas of the profile of the applicator tip while leaving too much cosmetic material in other areas of the applicator tip.

With a knowledge of the state of the art summarized above, the present inventors have appreciated that it would be advantageous to provide a cosmetic applicator with an applicator tip capable of retaining an enhanced volume of cosmetic material as a result of a dipping operation while enabling a wiping of cosmetic material from the applicator tip with enhanced consistency even across a non-round applicator tip profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator that enables the achievement of a finished appearance expeditiously with as few introductions of the applicator tip into the cosmetic material reservoir as possible.

A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator package with a wiper capable of wiping cosmetic material from a non-round applicator tip with enhanced consistency.

A related object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator that enables the optimal application of cosmetic material in an aesthetically pleasing and functionally advantageous manner.

One will appreciate that the foregoing broadly outlines certain goals of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors' contribution to the art. These and in all likelihood further objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to those who have an opportunity to make use of an embodiment of the applicator construction disclosed herein. However, it will be appreciated that, although the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential advantage and function. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In carrying forth the objects of the invention, one embodiment of the cosmetic applicator with a paddle-shaped applicator tip for retaining and applying a volume of cosmetic material is founded on an applicator tip with a head portion. The head portion of the applicator tip can be a substantially flat member of a given thickness. The head portion can be paddle shaped with first and second opposed faces. The head portion can in certain embodiments have an egg-shaped profile with the first and second opposed faces comprising first and second opposed, egg-shaped oval faces, which can be substantially flat, separated by the thickness of the head portion. A neck portion can be coupled to the head portion of the applicator tip by first and second jaws disposed to overlie the first and second faces of the head portion. The neck portion of the applicator tip can be retained by a base rod, and the head portion can be disposed at an angle of approximately seventeen degrees in relation to a longitudinal axis of the base rod.

As disclosed herein, the head portion can incorporate radiused edges spanning from the first oval face to the second oval face. Similarly, the neck portion and the head portion can be coupled by smoothly radiused connections between the first and second jaws and the first and second faces of the head portion. With that, the head and neck portions and the first and second opposed faces present curved surfaces only with no sharp corners.

For retaining and applying cosmetic material, the head portion of the applicator tip can be at least partially enveloped in applicator material. The applicator material can take the form of an array fibers or bristles, which could be applied by flocking. Where the applicator tip includes a head portion and a neck portion, the applicator material can envelop substantially the entire head portion and at least a portion of the neck portion.

An applicator wand can be coupled to the applicator tip for retaining and applying cosmetic material, such as by dipping the applicator tip in a volume of cosmetic and applying it to a person's eyes, lips, or elsewhere. A cap can be coupled to the applicator wand, and a cosmetic bottle with a neck can be provided for retaining a volume of cosmetic material and selectively receiving the head portion of the applicator tip. A flexible wiper can be retained within the neck of the cosmetic bottle for wiping excess cosmetic material from the applicator tip. To permit the flexible wiper to flex and adapt to the unique shape of the applicator tip, the wiper can be formed from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Where the wiper has a cylindrical wall and a frusto-conical portion connected to the cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall and the frusto-conical portion can have a thickness beginning at 0.8 mm (0.0315 inches) at a proximal end of the cylindrical wall and tapering to 0.635 mm (0.0265 inches) at a tip of the frusto-conical portion.

One will appreciate that the foregoing discussion broadly outlines the more important goals and features of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors' contribution to the art. Before any particular embodiment or aspect thereof is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in front elevation of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in left side elevation of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in rear elevation of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator with flocking;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator again with flocking;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator with flocking;

FIG. 10 is a view in left side elevation of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1 with dimensioning;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1 again with dimensioning;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cosmetic applicator kit with a paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a partially sectioned view in side elevation of a cosmetic applicator cap and wand retaining a paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator as taught herein;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectioned view in side elevation of a cosmetic bottle and wiper for use with a paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a wiper for use with a paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 16 is a view in front elevation of the wiper of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectioned view of the wiper taken along the line A-A in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The paddle-shaped cosmetic applicator disclosed herein is subject to varied embodiments. To ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures.

In carrying forth the objects of the invention, an applicator tip for a cosmetic applicator pursuant to the present invention is indicated generally at 12 in FIGS. 1 through 11. There, the applicator tip 12 has a head portion 14 that is paddle shaped. More particularly, the head portion 14 comprises a substantially flat plate of a given thickness with an egg-shaped profile and radiused edges. With that, the head portion 14 has first and second opposed substantially flat, egg-shaped oval faces separated by the thickness of the head portion 14.

The head portion 14 is retained at a proximal end thereof by a neck portion 16 with first and second jaws that are respectively disposed to overlie the first and second faces of the head portion 14. The junctions between the neck portion 16 and the head portion 14 are smoothly radiused whereby the head and neck portions 14 and 16 present curved surfaces only with no sharp corners. The neck portion 16 is in turn retained by a base rod 18 with a faceted portion. In this presently preferred embodiment, the head portion 14 is disposed at an angle of approximately seventeen degrees in relation to the longitudinal axis of the base rod 18. As seen, for example, in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6, the neck portion 16 is broadened relative to the base rod 18 at a shoulder.

The head and neck portions 14 and 16 and the base rod 18 could be separately formed and joined as by adhesive, sonic or heat welding, or some other method. Alternatively, as in the present embodiment, the head and neck portions 14 and 16 and the base rod 18 could be unitarily formed as by molding or any other effective method.

Under certain practices of the invention as seen in FIGS. 7 through 9, the head and neck portions 14 and 16 can be enveloped in applicator material 20. The applicator material 20 terminates at the proximal end of the neck portion 16, and the base rod 18 in the present embodiment carries no applicator material 20. The applicator material 20 can comprise an array of fibers, bristles, or other material capable of retaining cosmetic. The applicator material 20 is thus carried by the head and neck portions 14 and 16 to permit and facilitate the retention and application of cosmetic material. The head and neck portions 14 and 16 act as a core, and the applicator material 20 is attached to the core such that the bristles extend radially outwardly therefrom to form an array surrounding the head and neck portions 14 and 16 over a substantial portion thereof.

The applicator material 20 can be applied by flocking. Flocking is a process under which a surface is covered with densely packed, upstanding fibers, typically of short length and fine diameter. The fibers typically are delivered to an adhesive coating already applied to the surface. Flocking can be carried out by any effective method. In one contemplated practice of the invention, flocking can be achieved by electrostatic delivery of fibers to the adhesive coating. The flocked applicator material 20 can be consistent in length, density, and other characteristics over the surface area of the head and neck portions 14 and 16, or it can vary in one or more characteristics dependent on surface location.

It will be noted that particular dimensions and, additionally or alternatively, for the several components, including the head and neck portions 14 and 16, the base rod 18, and the applicator material 20 may be indicated in several of the drawings. These absolute and relative dimensions and orientations have been found to be particularly preferable and may reasonably be argued to be inventive as exactly depicted and within a given margin thereof. However, the invention should not be limited to the same except as may be expressly required by the claims.

A cosmetic applicator kit, which is complete but for the actual cosmetic material to be applied, is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 12, and components thereof are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. By combined reference to FIGS. 12 through 14, one can perceive that the applicator tip 12 is retained by having the base rod 18 thereof received into the distal end of an applicator wand 22. A base cup 40 is fixed to the proximal end of the applicator wand 22, such as by being formed integrally therewith, and a cylindrical cap 24 is retained by the base cup 40, such as by a crimping of the material of the cap 24, adhesive, a pressure fit, or any other effective mechanism or combination thereof. The cap 24 is threaded for engaging a threaded neck 42 of a cosmetic bottle 26 that retains a volume of cosmetic material (not shown).

With the cosmetic applicator kit 10 so configured, the applicator tip 12 projects into the cosmetic material in the cosmetic bottle 26 when the applicator wand 22 is inserted through the neck 42 of the bottle 26. The cosmetic bottle 26 can be selectively sealed by threadedly engaging the cap 24 with the bottle 26. Upon removal of the cap 24, applicator wand 22, and applicator tip 12 from the bottle 26, the applicator tip 12 will be loaded with cosmetic material, such as lip gloss, mascara, or any other liquid or pasty cosmetic. A flexible wiper 28 is retained within the neck 42 of the applicator bottle 26 for wiping excess cosmetic material from the applicator tip 12.

Properly loaded with cosmetic material, the applicator tip 12 can then be manipulated to deliver and apply the product to the user's body with the cap 24 serving as a handle for the applicator tip 12. Advantageously, with its broad paddle shape and flat paddle surfaces, the applicator tip 12 will tend to retain greater volumes of cosmetic material thereby enabling increased material application per dip of the applicator tip 12 into the cosmetic bottle 26. Moreover, the paddle-shaped applicator tip 12 provides application characteristics not possible with traditional round applicator tips. Accordingly, the paddle-shaped applicator tip 12 provides useful advantages to the consumer.

However, the paddle shape of the applicator tip 12 presents challenges not encountered with round applicator tips. For instance, to achieve optimal cosmetic material retention and application, excess material will be wiped from the applicator tip 12 consistently across its surfaces so that the flat faces and the radiused edges will be loaded with cosmetic material in a substantially consistent manner. However, that would be unlikely using a traditional wiper (not shown) according to the prior art. Instead, wipers of the prior art would be likely to wipe too much cosmetic material off of the lateral edges of the applicator tip 12 and not enough from the opposed flat faces of the applicator tip 12.

Recognizing this, the present inventors devised the cosmetic wiper 28 first shown in FIG. 14 and then alone in FIGS. 15 through 17. The wiper 28 is crafted in material, shape, thickness, and other characteristics with the goal of having the wiper 28 change shape to conform to the shape of the applicator tip 12 as the tip 12 is pulled through the wiper 28. With the conforming shape of the wiper 28, more cosmetic product will tend to be removed from the flat surfaces of the applicator tip 12 while the lateral edges will tend to retain a greater amount of product and not be scraped bare.

As illustrated, the wiper 28 is formed with an annular upper shoulder 30 for overlying the edge of the neck 42 of the bottle 26 to permit a fluidic seal between the base cup 40 and cap 24 relative to the bottle 26. A cylindrical wall 32 extends concentrically from the upper shoulder 30, and a frusto-conical portion 34 extends concentrically from the cylindrical wall 32. The distal end of the frusto-conical portion 34 has a beveled aperture 36 for receiving the applicator tip 12 therethrough, and an annular ridge 38 is formed adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical wall 32 for matingly engaging an annular channel 44 on the cosmetic bottle 26.

To facilitate the desired flexing and stretching of the wiper 28, the cosmetic wiper 28 is unitarily formed as by molding from a highly flexible material, preferably low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Moreover, the cosmetic wiper 28 has a preferred thinness beginning with 0.8 mm (0.0315 inches) at the proximal end of the cylindrical wall 32 and tapering to 0.635 mm (0.0265 inches) at the tip of the frusto-conical portion 34. It has been found that this preferred combination of material and dimensions permits wiping of the applicator tip 12 with enhanced consistency as preferred and described.

With certain details and embodiments of the of the present invention disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that numerous changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.

Therefore, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventors. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, these claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all equivalents thereof that might be now known or hereafter discovered. 

We claim as deserving the protection of Letters Patent:
 1. A cosmetic applicator with a paddle-shaped applicator tip for retaining and applying a volume of cosmetic material, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applicator tip with a head portion wherein the head portion is paddle shaped with first and second opposed faces.
 2. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 wherein the head portion of the applicator tip comprises a substantially flat member of a given thickness.
 3. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 wherein the head portion has an egg-shaped profile and wherein the first and second opposed faces comprise first and second opposed, egg-shaped oval faces separated by the thickness of the head portion.
 4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 3 wherein the oval faces of the head portion are substantially flat.
 5. The cosmetic applicator of claim 4 wherein the head portion has radiused edges spanning from the first oval face to the second oval face.
 6. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 further comprising a neck portion coupled to the head portion of the applicator tip by first and second jaws that are disposed to overlie the first and second faces of the head portion.
 7. The cosmetic applicator of claim 6 wherein the head portion has radiused edges spanning from the first oval face to the second oval face and wherein the neck portion and the head portion are coupled by smoothly radiused connections between the first and second jaws and the first and second faces of the head portion whereby the head and neck portions and the first and second opposed faces present curved surfaces only with no sharp corners.
 8. The cosmetic applicator of claim 6 further comprising a base rod connected to the neck portion.
 9. The cosmetic applicator of claim 8 wherein the head portion is disposed at an angle of approximately seventeen degrees in relation to a longitudinal axis of the base rod.
 10. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 wherein the head portion of the applicator tip is at least partially enveloped in applicator material for retaining and applying cosmetic material.
 11. The cosmetic applicator of claim 10 wherein the applicator material comprises an array comprising fibers or bristles.
 12. The cosmetic applicator of claim 11 wherein the applicator tip further comprises a neck portion coupled to the head portion of the applicator tip and wherein the applicator material envelops substantially the entire head portion and at least a portion of the neck portion.
 13. The cosmetic applicator of claim 11 wherein the applicator material is applied to the head portion of the applicator tip by flocking.
 14. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 further comprising an applicator wand wherein the applicator wand retains the applicator tip for the retention and application of cosmetic material.
 15. The cosmetic applicator of claim 14 wherein the applicator tip further comprises a neck portion coupled to the head portion of the applicator tip and wherein the applicator wand retains the neck portion of the applicator tip.
 16. The cosmetic applicator of claim 14 further comprising a cap coupled to the applicator wand and a cosmetic bottle for retaining a volume of cosmetic material and selectively receiving the head portion of the applicator tip wherein the cosmetic bottle has a neck.
 17. The cosmetic applicator of claim 16 further comprising a flexible wiper retained within the neck of the cosmetic bottle for wiping excess cosmetic material from the applicator tip.
 18. The cosmetic applicator of claim 17 wherein the wiper is formed from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and wherein the wiper has a cylindrical wall and a frusto-conical portion connected to the cylindrical wall wherein the cylindrical wall and the frusto-conical portion have a thickness beginning at 0.8 mm (0.0315 inches) at a proximal end of the cylindrical wall and tapering to 0.635 mm (0.0265 inches) at a tip of the frusto-conical portion.
 19. A cosmetic applicator with a paddle-shaped applicator tip for retaining and applying a volume of cosmetic material, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applicator tip with a head portion wherein the head portion comprises a substantially flat, paddle-shaped member with a given thickness and first and second opposed, flat faces separated by the thickness of the head portion and wherein the head portion has radiused edges spanning from the first face to the second face; a neck portion coupled to the head portion; a base rod connected to the neck portion; wherein the head portion of the applicator tip is at least partially enveloped in applicator material for retaining and applying cosmetic material; and an applicator wand wherein the applicator wand retains the applicator tip for the retention and application of cosmetic material.
 20. The cosmetic applicator of claim 19 further comprising a cap coupled to the applicator wand and a cosmetic bottle for retaining a volume of cosmetic material and selectively receiving the head portion of the applicator tip. 